Mouse infestations often go unnoticed because mice do most of their day-to-day activities at night. This is an adaptation that helps them survive, since scurrying around in the dark makes them less noticeable. However, they may still be noisy, and if you hear scratching, gnawing or squeaking sounds at night, then you may be dealing with a mouse infestation.
The nighttime
Mice are nocturnal animals, being most active at night. However, this may change due to a variety of factors. For example, in the wild, they prefer to be active at dusk and dawn, while indoors, they will prefer the dead of night, when people are sleeping. There are also situations in which a nest becomes overcrowded, or the mice become very comfortable in an environment, and they start travelling throughout the day. So while mostly nocturnal, mice will adapt their sleep cycles to the necessities and pressure of their environment.
Where do mice sleep?
Mice do not occupy large territories. They will try to always stay within 10 to 30 feet from their nest, given the amount of predators that they have. Their nests consist of materials that they can find in the surrounding area. When they are in the home these materials may be pieces of fabric, plastic and shavings that they gnaw off various objects.
Have mice built a nest in your home?
If you have a mouse nest in your home, you will start to notice several signs. First, it will be their droppings. Mice leave small black pellets that have a size and shape similar to that of rice. The droppings may be present near walls or behind furniture. Mice will also gnaw on various surfaces in the house as well, so you may notice some of the marks that they leave behind. Finally, mice have an oily, greasy coat, which leaves markings where they travel, especially on the floor or walls of a room.
Once you come across any of these signs, it’s time to move quickly to the next step, which is control. Poisons and traps can be effective when used right, but you have to make sure that you remove an infestation in its entirety, otherwise, the mice will simply replenish their numbers and you are back to square one. If you need any help in dealing with a mouse infestation, especially a large one, contact us today.
